CentrePort’s Chief Executive Blair O’Keeffe and Positively Wellington Tourism’s Chief Executive David Perks say there are delighted that, through working collaboratively, their organisations are joint finalists in this year’s Wellington Business Gold Awards.

The entry named “Best Little Cruise Capital in the World” came about as a joint marketing effort from CentrePort and Positively Wellington Tourism.

“CentrePort and Positively Wellington Tourism have worked tirelessly over the past 5 years to promote Wellington as a cruise friendly destination.  This combined effort has significantly contributed to growth in both the amount of cruise vessels and passengers visiting the region and to Wellington’s status as New Zealand’s premier cruise port,” Mr O’Keeffe said.

The cruise season, which came to a close last week, had brought over 125 000 passengers and crew to Wellington.  “Looking ahead, there’s even better news,” Mr O’Keeffe said. “Cruise liner bookings for the coming season have been confirmed at 80 – with several of them coming for the Rugby World Cup. That represents a 74 % increase in the past two years.

He said it was estimated cruise vessels would inject more than $31 million to the region’s economy during the 2011/2012 season.

“CentrePort and Positively Wellington Tourism have worked together successfully to promote Wellington as a cruise friendly destination,  Mr Perks said, “and it is encouraging to see this being recognised by a finalist berth in the Vibrant Gold category of the Gold Awards.”